Ohio University Honors Tutorial College

Officially summer 🌷 ☀️

We hope all Honors Bobcats have a great first day of summer!

Have you heard the news? Athens is officially one of the best college towns in the nation! 🧱 💚

In recent rankings by RentCafe and Poets and Quants, Athens was named a Top 10 college town in the nation and the best college town in the Midwest!

From arts, sciences, nature and all wonderful things Southeast Ohio has to offer, students have the opportunity to explore and learn in a special place.

📰 ohio.edu/news/2026/06/theres-no-place-athens-home-ohio-named-best-college-town-midwest-top-10-nation

A new study of cutting-edge nanotechnology research from OHIO researchers, led by HTC student Luke Davenport, was recently published in Advanced Photonics Research. 🔬

Luke, an HTC engineering physics major and undergraduate researcher at the Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute (NQPI), was eager to get started in a lab from the start. His ambition led him to working under the guidance of Professor Martin Kordesch.

His breakthrough? A fabrication technique known as glancing angle deposition (GLAD), which allows materials to grow into complex, three-dimensional shapes at the nanoscale.

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to professors whose work sounds interesting… and collaborate. Our experimental work was vastly strengthened by the theoretical simulations.”

OHIO student receives national attention for cutting-edge research Luke Davenport, an undergraduate researcher at the Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute (NQPI) at Ohio University, led the research project.

Honors Bobcats may be gone for the summer, but there are still some buddies around Athens 🐾 🪿 🐿️ 🦌

OHIO students took a trip to Dysart Woods in Belmont, as part of a honors course taught by Dr. Jacqueline Yahn, associate professor of middle childhood education at Ohio University Eastern. 🌳

The course, titled "Defending Dysart: The Story of Southeast Ohio’s Old Growth Forest,” was open to students on the Athens and Eastern campuses and was in partnership with Marshall Dyer, land protection manager for the Captina Conservancy.

Students participated in virtual classes before spending a weekend in the woods focusing on ecology, activism and environmental stewardship through guided hikes, collaborative problem-solving activities, community discussions and hands-on conservation work. 🌱

📰 ohio.edu/news/2026/05/ohio-honors-course-connects-students-stewardship-history-dysart-woods

Congratulations to Breanne Sisler, assistant dean of HTC, for being awarded an Outstanding Administrator Award! 🌟

Awarded annually to three individuals who exemplify creativity and innovation, along with distinguished service to Ohio University, Breanne was celebrated at the annual Administrative Service Awards Ceremony.

In her role, Breanne dedicates her time to supporting students in difficult situations, helping them get back on track. She also leads initatives tied to new programs Ohio Honors Early Experience Program and the Templeton, Appalachian, Rankin and Urban Scholarship programs.

Julia Schneider, colleague and nominator, shared that Breanne “is the go-to person for anything honors-related. Not only do students trust her, but staff and faculty rely on her to keep the Honors Tutorial College running smoothly.” 💚

During spring break, 17 OHIO Honors students traveled to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. 🦣

The two-credit hour course was designed to engage students with the economy, ecology and culture of the area, also showing the complexity of the National Park system.

In addition to seeing cave formations, bats and salamanders, the trip included a community service project, an after-hours tour of the historic main entrance, a private tour of the Great Onyx Cave, a visit to the Bransford African American Cemetery and more.

The course was designed by by Geoff Buckley, HTC associate dean, and Michelle O'Malley, executive director of the Office of Experiential Learning.

Today, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation 🇺🇸

Wishing our Bobcats a safe Memorial Day from Athens, OH 💚

Congratulations to all Honors Bobcats who were honored on the Spring 2026 academic achievement lists! 🎊

HTC had 265+ students recognized on the President’s, Provost’s and Dean’s Lists. 👏

View full lists and info » ohio.edu/news/2026/05/ohio-announces-spring-semester-2026-student-academic-achievement-lists

Finding time to read 📖

Dean Dr. Kristina Bross wanted to help students find time to relax. In collaboration with the Athens County Public Libraries Bookmobile, the result was Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) hour.

Throughout the spring semester, DEAR was held every other week, giving students an outlet outside of their studies.

“I hear from so many students that they want to read more or that they miss reading for pleasure. To be honest, it’s hard for me to find time in my schedule, even though I am an English professor at heart and have a stack of books on my bedside table." — Dean Dr. Kristina Bross

📰 See what books students recommend here: ohio.edu/news/2026/03/dear-readers-picking-your-next-book